Lightning-arrester



A. R. PRESCOTT. LIGHTNING ARRESTER (No Model.)

Patented Apr. 4, 1882.

FIG.1.

FIG.2.

N. PEYERS. Phnlolilllagnpher. Washlngtun. u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFrcE.

ALMON R. PRESCOTT, OF NEWBURYPORT, MASSACHUSETTS.

LlGHTNlNG-ARRESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 256,046, dated April 4, 1882.

Application filed October 26, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALMON R. PRESCOTT, of Newburyport, in the county of Essex and State of llIa-ssachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Lightning-Arresters for Telephone and Telegraphic Offices or Stations, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a means for preventing the electric fluid discharged from the clouds during a thunderstorm from entering the offices or stations of telegraphic and telephone operators.

The invention consists in the employment of ametal bar or conductor which can be brought into or out of contact with the wire or series of wires of a telegraph or telephone line at any moment when desired by the operator, the said bar communicating with rod or conductor leading to the ground-currents, or connecting with metal gas or water pipes laid in the ground.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a front view of my inventlon, and Fig. 2 is an end view of the same somewhat enlarged.

A represents a frame or cross piece support in the side pieces or posts, B B. To the crosspiece A are attached the insulators a, carrying the wires 0.

0 Care metal brackets secured to the posts B B. In the brackets O G is hung a metal bar or rod, D, which is bent at each end, as shown, so as to allow the same to be brought in contact with the wires 0 c, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, and to be turned back out of contact with said wires. 7

To the rod D are attached arms G G, extending in opposite directions, and to the end of each arm are attached cords H H, which extend to a point within reach of the operator of the telephone or telegraphic instrument, so that by pulling one or the other cord the bar D can be put into or out of contact with the lineqvires, as desired.

(No model.)

To the bracket 0, at one side, is attached a lightning rod or conductor, F, which extends downward to the ground-curren ts, or may connect with metal pipes in theground.

The bar D may be strengthened by a rod, E, and cross-bar or strut d, it necessary. The bar D, with its connections, may be so arranged as to come in contact with the wiresin a horizontal or vertical line or at any angle.

It will be seen that when the bar D is in contact with the wires 0 any atmospheric electricity passing over the wires of a telephone or telegraph line will be arrested at the point of contact and conducted through the bar D to the bracket 0 and the rod Fto the ground,.and thus prevent anyinjury to the instruments and operators.

The bar D may be held in an open or closed position by means of springs, if found necessary, and may,ifdesired, be operated by means of a lever and connecting-rods, instead of by cords, in which case one of the arms, G or G,

might be dispensed with.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The swinging rod D, in combination with a wire or series-of wires, 0, of a telegraphic or telephone line and the ground-connection F, and adapted to be operated as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of the swinging rod D, provided with the arms G G, the wires 0 0, the bracket G,and the conducting-rod F, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALMON a. PRESCOTT.

Witnesses:

EDWIN P. HILL, THOMAS H. APPLETON. 

